DMK Urges Tamil Nadu Govt to Deny Approval for Hydrocarbon Wells in Cuddalore

Chennai: The DMK on Monday urged the Tamil Nadu government not to grant permission for the proposed hydrocarbon wells project in the coastal Cuddalore district, citing concerns over its impact on marine resources and the livelihood of fishermen. Expressing opposition to the proposal to establish four hydrocarbon wells in the sea near Parangipettai, about 190 km from Chennai, former Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu said the project could pose risks to the coastal ecosystem and the fishing community dependent on the region’s marine wealth.

Thennarasu recalled that during the previous DMK government, led by then Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, a firm decision was taken not to permit hydrocarbon projects in the state, keeping in mind the interests of farmers and environmental protection. The DMK leader stressed that safeguarding marine biodiversity and protecting the livelihoods of thousands of fishermen should remain a priority, and called on the government to reject any move that could threaten the ecological balance of the coastal region.

Recalling the party’s earlier opposition to hydrocarbon projects, Thennarasu said the DMK had earlier opposed similar hydrocarbon exploration efforts in the state. He said in a post on X “when ONGC sought permission to conduct studies on hydrocarbon reserves in Ramanathapuram district, we urged the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) to deny environmental clearance for the project, effectively halting the initiative at its initial stage.”